terrycoles
OMG....It's been TEN years since my gastric bypass surgery and I'm still thin! Yep the years have gone by fast and certainly haven't always been easy, but I have so much to be thankful for. We managed to retire early and move to the country of Panama for a cheaper, better life. Been here three years so far and enjoying it. As for my weight issues I still love to eat and every day have to make the right choices with food and exercise. But like I was told originally....weight loss surgery is NOT the easy way out, it's just a tool to help. So when I think "poor me, why can't I eat anything I want and stay thin," I have to remind myself that no one said it would be easy. But it's certainly been easier with a small stomach than with a normal sized one. So....until next year.....
Nine years today since my RNY gastric bypass, still thin, healthy, fit and feeling great! In February I had a total abdominal hysterectomy and was worried about weight gain, with hormonal changes. I was determined not to gain weight, even though I knew I wouldn't be able to work out for a month or more. So I cleaned up my diet, stopped using sugar, sodas and junk food and lost 20 pounds. I'd been wanting to lose 10 pounds for years but ended up losing more. So here I am at my nine year anniversary weighing only 15 pounds more than my all time low after the RNY. My decision to have weight loss surgery still continues to be one of the best decisions I've made in my life! Although keeping the weight off is still not easy, the surgery is a great tool that's helped me to stay thin and healthy. This is the longest period of time in my life that I've been a normal weight! Until next year.....
Today is my 8 year anniversary since my gastric bypass surgery on June 14, 2004. Alot has happened this past year and the weight is becomming a struggle. Last September my husband and I took an early retirement and moved our lives to the country of Panamá. Since I no longer work I don't have to get up early to go workout. I still workout but not as much or as long. In the past 8 years I've put on about 30 pounds and have decided enough already.
A few weeks ago I decided to get back to eating like a bariatric patient, which means three meals a day and no snacks. Since that time I've lost 7 pounds and I'd like to lose another 10 at least. For years I was around 145 and that seemed ok for me since I carry a lot of muscle. Then I crept into the 150's and when the scale hit 163 I knew I had to do something. We hit the gym 3 days a week to lift weights and I had a spin bike at home which just broke, so need to find another soon. Also walk everyday for about 40 minutes with our dog in the hot, humid tropical climate.
The good thing about living in Panamá is fresh fruit is everywhere, even in our back yard where we pick fresh mangoes daily. The locals are very fit since they're too poor to have cars and they walk everywhere. They live on the fresh produce that they grow along with fresh fish, chicken, rice and beans. If anyone reading this would like to follow our journey go to www.alongthegringotrail.blogspot.com
My husband is a lap band patient who's about 5 or 6 years out and he eats less than me and seems happy with that. Ok I'm jealous that can live on so little food and then he eats the junk
food to supplement his calories, and still stays thin.
But being 155 pounds is still a hell of alot better than being 280 pounds which is where I began. I'll keep plugging along to lose another 10 pounds or more and realize that my life with food will always be a struggle. But then when I went into this I knew it was NOT the easy way out! So until next year....
I remember when I first lost the weight I thought I won't believe I can really be thin for life until I've been thin for 5 years. Well here I am on my 6th year anniversary and I'm still thin, which means I've been thin for over 5 years. Does that mean I've made it and I'll never be fat again? Not at all! It's still a day to day struggle with the food. Every day I have to make the right decisions, and exercise.
I've come to believe that FOOD is NOT entertainment..........it's not supposed to be exciting, it's just fuel for my body like gas is to a car. And exercise is NOT an option, it's as necessary as breathing!
I ran my first relay marathon this year. It's a biggie here...........its called Beach to Bay Relay Marathon and hubby and I got together a team of 6 weight loss surgery patients. Each person does ONE leg of the race, each leg is between 4 and 4.8 miles. Citizens Medical Center, the hospital were we all had our surgeries agreed to sponsor us in the event. My goal was to run my whole leg, which I managed to do. I'm a jogger, not fast but now know that I can run 4-5 miles. We also did a 5K race, which is 3.1 miles and I placed #1 in my age category. Of course we won't discuss how many were in my age category......but I still have a medal hanging on my wall.
I turn 50 years old in September...........a number that would have scared me if I was still fat and unhealthy. But if this is what 50 looks and feels like, it's wonderful. I'm in the best shape of my life and feel like a 20 year old. I'm fit and fabulous! Until next year..........life is wonderful!
Ok so it's now been over 5 years since my wonderful RNY surgery which changed my life. I'm still working out 2 hours a day, have gotten very much more into body building and my goal is to look more like those fitness models and other women in women's bodybuilding magazines. I've now had 3 different personal trainers at the gym I use compliment me on my arms and upper body. My current trainer has said "I want my arms to look like yours....I have to start lifting heavier weights." Nice comments coming from people who's lives revolve around fitness. But then my life also revolves around fitness. I added running to my workouts this past year. Still prefer spinning but do run in between my spinning days for something different. My husband got banded a few years ago and is still doing ok although as he says, "he doesn't workout as much as I think he should."
I posted some new pics. Planning to put on a bikini and head to the beach today! Life is good!!!!
Wow....hard to believe it's been 4 wonderful years since I began this journey!!! That was a whole person ago. Now I'm fit, love to exercise and LOVE to flaunt my new body and be looked at!!! Going on a camping trip in a few weeks with a big group of people where we will go tubing down the river. Last time I did this was over 4 years ago and I was horrified to get into a bathing suit in front of people. NOW......I'm looking forward to putting on my bikini and getting noticed for all the right reasons. I first noticed something had changed when I walked out of the locker room at the gym wearing a bikini and men's heads turned. I remember thinking wow....men are noticing me in a bikini. What a big change! In the past 4 years I've put on about 10 pounds hopefully muscle since I work out LOTS. I'm up at 4:30 in the morning to be at the gym by 5:45 till 7:45. I do an hour of hard cardio (usually a spinning class) then an hour of lifting weights and abs. I truly enjoy exercising and love to see the muscle definition.
Until next year, or next time.......
Moved to Texas about 3 years ago from the northeast to escape the cold temps and snow. Just got married on Valentine's Day to a wonderful man. We love spending time together snuggled on the couch, out dancing or socializing with friends. Life is good and I need to lose weight to live a long, healthy life with my new husband. He has been an incredible support in this journey.
5-14-04
Had my day in Victoria yesterday to meet with Dr. Mc Daniel, attend a nutrition class, the psych eval, group session and gall bladder screen. It was a very positive experience. I got lots of great information from the dietician, therapist and PA in the surgeon's office. Met real people that have had the surgery and are doing great. My husband was allowed to sit in on everything with me. Because after all.....this is a lifestyle change that will involve him too, even though I'm the one having the surgery. Met some nice people and now I'm more excited than ever about having this surgery and changing my life for the better. Now we wait for the approval from the insurance company.
5-23-04
Called Ann at Dr. Mc Daniel's office last Thurs (5-20-04) and she said she was planning to call Humana that day about me. I wasn't too happy that it took her a week to submit the information, but it's done now. Kept checking Humana's website and found the information listed there under treatment authorizations with a possible surgery date, but no authorization number. Wasn't sure what it all meant, so called Ann again and she said she submitted the information and now we wait. Will wait a few more days and bother Humana and Ann again. The waiting is tough! Planning to attend my first Pouch Pals meeting on Tuesday to see what that's like. In the meantime hubby and I started back at the gym working out and played racquetball for the first time yesterday. Today my arm and heel hurt but whether I work out of not they seem to hurt. Trying to eat healthy and exercise to get in that frame of mind I'll need after the surgery. Besides if I lose a bit of weight before the surgery I'm that much further along. And my clothes were getting so tight everything was uncomfortable, and now's not the time to buy bigger clothes with surgery in my future.
5-25-04
Got a call from Veronica at Dr. McDaniel's office today with a surgery date. It's 6-14-04. Can't believe I got approved so quickly. Went to a Pouch Pals meeting tonight and met some nice people. Can't believe my surgery is less than 3 weeks away! I'm SO excited!!!
6-05-04
Well here I am only 9 days away from surgery. Have been reading some posting on the June surgery message board. It's nice to know of other's that are having the surgery the same day, or around the same day. This web site has been great since it lets me know I'm not alone on this journey. My husband is working today so I'm alone with time to think about things. Of course the only thing on my mind these days is the surgery. My pre-op appointments are this Thursday June 10th so I only have to go to work for 4 days this week. Then by next weekend I'll just plan on relaxing and preparing for the surgery. I'm SO excited. Can't believe I'm really going to do this! And like most people, I have those little feelings of doubt....those what if's....in the back of my mind. Yet I know I've chosen a good surgeon that's done lots of lap rny's. I know I'm in good hands. Guess it's normal to have some slight doubts. After all we fat people have had so many weight loss failures throughout our lifetime that it's hard to believe this time it will be PERMANENT! Permanent as long as I continue to do my part of regular exercise and eat properly.
Last weekend I went through my old clothes that I was about to throw out before I decided to have the surgery. I have jeans from a size 26 that I wear now down to a 14. And tops from very big to size medium. So I neatly put them away where I can find them when I get to those sizes. This gave hubby some comfort that I won't have to go out and buy everything new right from the start. I work for a doctor and wear scrubs to work, but I think I can take those in for a while and make them work.
I've got my little plate and bowl, kiddy utensils, even bought a purse that has a place for my water bottle. Bought a baby food processor which will make it easier when I get to the pureed stage. So I'm ready to go.
Why is it that time seems to stand still when we're waiting for a certain date to arrive? Well think I'd better get out of the house and find something to occupy my mind for today. I usually don't want weekends to end but these days I do.....since it puts me closer to that surgery date of June 14th, 2004. By the way, June 14th will be my 4 month wedding anniversary! Will update more later.
06-11-04
Went for all my pre-op stuff yesterday and it's a go for Monday 6-14-04 for my surgery. Actually since I live 2 hours away from where I'm having it done they said I can go into the hospital at midnight on Sunday. They'll put me into my room and come get me in the morning for the surgery. Hubby can hang out and meet the doctor in the surgery waiting room when the surgery is over. I can leave my personal stuff in the room since that's where they'll be taking me back to. So why pay for a hotel room when we can do this. Have to do full liquids the day before the surgery and nothing by mouth after midnight. I'd read lots of things about strange pre-op diets with other surgeons
and mine is so easy.
Well it's sinking in now......this is really going to happen! I'm really having weight loss surgery and really will be thin, and stay thin forever.
I'm so excited!!
Thanks to everyone out there for your support, words of wisdom and your prayers. I will update after the surgery
August 18, 2004
My husband was working on this page and accidentally lost all of the post up information, so I'll have to start again. At this point I'm 9 weeks out from surgery and have lost around 50 pounds. I feel wonderful and wish I had done this years ago. If someone asked me to come up with the "perfect diet" this would be it. I can eat most anything, just in tiny amounts. I still enjoy taste of food but get full so fast. It's great! When we eat out we share a meal since I eat so little, which makes for eating out much cheaper, an additional feature I love. I go to the gym at least 5 days a week and walk 4 miles, work out with weights and on weekends hubby and I play raquetball. I have more energy then I've had in years I suppose due to the supplements I have to take. Well that's a quick update. Someday when I have more time I'll try and think back to the stuff that got lost. O
Sept. 6, 2004
Well it's now 12 weeks since the surgery. I've lost 57 pounds and a whole lot of inches. I can fit into a size 18 jeans, size L tops. I'm down to 219 pounds. I feel great! I was wearing a size 28 stretch jeans and they just barely fit. When I began this journey I told hubby "don't worry...I have lots of smaller sizes of clothes so I won't need to buy any for a long time." Well now that I'm fitting into the 18 jeans I think I have some size 16's and that's it. I had no idea I would fit into those old clothes so quickly. I really think I'm losing more fat than ever before. I'm out of the morbidly obese category and just "obese" now. I thank God everyday for the tremendous opportunity to have this surgery and to make this transition in life. And I thank God for wonderful surgeons like Dr. McDaniel that know how to perform this tedious surgery so well, and who care about the whole person and how the weight loss effects their life. And I especially thank my wonderful husband who's been right by my side on this journey. He's had to put up with my ups and downs, my mood swings and my self doubt caused by years of being obese. Little by little I'm coming out of my cocoon a new, vibrant, thinner and more self confident person. So.....until next time.
Oct. 9, 2004
Just came off a 3 week plateau where I was stuck at a 65 pound weight loss. But despite my whining about not losing pounds I took some measurements and discovered I was losing inches. Lost a total of 6 1/2 inches off EACH thigh so far, and 11 inches off my hips and 10 inches off my waist. I carry the bulk of the weight in my thighs and hips so I'm thrilled to see it disappear there. Not that it went away easily. I put in lots of time at the gym doing lots of squats and leg exercises. So as of today I've lost 68 pounds and I weigh 208. Hopefully I'll keep losing and get under 200 already.
I've increased the circuit training/weight lifting program I do. Consulted with a personal trainer and she set up a weight lifting program for me. She told me my lower body is much stronger then my upper body and explained how to challenge myself when working out. I asked her how I can get rid of these fat thighs and she said "squats and lunges." I said "oh I don't like those," and she laughed and said "oh you're gonna get to like them." I talked to her about my last plateau and she suggested I vary my cardio program. She suggested I use the elliptical machine and bike instead of doing so much treadmill which my body may have gotten used to. So next day I jumped onto the elliptical machine and talked myself through the first five minutes, the next five....etc until I decided to stop at 50 minutes for my first time on it in years. It's been 3 days now and my calves still hurt. I could barely walk the past few days without being in pain. But like they say.....no pain no gain. So I rested today and will resume working out tomorrow.
I have noticed lately that my hair is falling out some. So I'm trying to be careful with it and not brush it anymore then necessary. It's not noticible, only to me.
I still feel great, can eat anything although I choose to eat mostly protein with not much else. Still have not tried sugar. Have lots of energy and don't want to sit around watching tv. I like to be more active now.
Life is GREAT!
11-05-04
Down 75 pounds as of today. Checked measurements and I've now lost 7 1/2 inches per thigh, 12 inches in the waist and hips to name a few highlights.
Went to a dance last weekend and bought a new dress (size 14), a little black number, very low cut and since I recently discovered the benefits of a push up bra (now that I can fit into one) I wore one with it which gave me major cleavage. I've NEVER gone out in public with so much cleavage showing. I shocked myself! But people that hadn't seen me in a while told me they wouldn't have recognized me without my husband. Oh, and also bought some pretty shoes....high heeled dancing shoes.....never could wear pretty shoes when I was heavier. I truly felt like a princess out with her prince charming.
Watched the Primetime Special with Al Roker tonight. The major points I got out of it, which of course I know since I'm living this is....a gastric bypass is NOT the easy way out. We still need to make the right food choices and exercise. And it may not be the right decision for everyone, but I know it WAS the right decision for me. I have NO REGRETS!
Life is wonderful!
Until next time.....
11-17-04
Well 11-14-04 recently passed and that marked my 5 month anniversary since my surgery. As of today I'm weighing in at 198 and wearing a size 16 jeans and medium tops. My lower half needs to catch up with my upper half. So that's a weight loss of 78 pounds. I'm thrilled when I look in the mirror wearing clothes....naked with all that loose skin in another story...hahaha.... Still working out hard and doing those squats and lungs to get rid of these big thighs. Looking forward to the holidays for the first time in years.....not sure what that's all about. Perhaps more happy with my new body, new husband and new attitude on life.
11-30-04
In the season when everyone's gaining weight, I'm on a losing streak. Since Thanksgiving on 11-25-04 I've lost 10 pounds. Don't know why I'm losing so much these days, but I'll certainly take it. Guess all that working out is paying off. Bought my first size 12 pants.....wow. I've never been in a size 12, in my adult life anyway. So as of today I've officially lost 89 pounds. Went from 276 to 187. Until next time....
12-02-04
Still losing....have lost 14 pounds since Turkey Day! I'm at 183 now. I've lost a total of 93 pounds in 5 1/2 months.
12-05-04
Down to 180 today, 96 pounds lost and a total of 70 inches. Some highlights include 16.5 inches lost off my hips, 13.5 inches lost off my waist, and 13 inches off my chest (yes deflated boobs). Only 4 more pounds to go to hit 100 pounds lost. Wearing a size 12 pants and medium and small tops. Not even at 6 months yet. WOW!!!
12-11-14
It's official today....I've joined the Century Club with a weight loss of 101 pounds!!!!! Soooooooo happy and I feel sooooo wonderful. It's so nice to walk into a room and not worry about being looked at as the biggest one. So nice to fit into chairs, to be able to cross my legs, to be able to walk without my feet hurting. So nice to be able to tuck my shirt into my jeans and be proud of what I've accomplished.
Yesterday I was at the gym on the eliptical machine when a women I didn't even know came upto me and said "wow, you've lost alot of weight since I saw you last." She went onto say it had been 3 weeks since she'd been in the gym and noticed how much more I'd lost. So she got on the machine next to me and we chatted through the rest of the workout. Nice to know that people are noticing.
The surgery is a great tool but I still work hard in the gym everyday. I'm doing my best to make this happen.
So today I weigh 175, and since I've lost over 100 pounds now I guess my next goal should be 150. I'd like to lose another 40 pounds to be around 130 to 135.
Life is good....until next time....
12-11-04
Went out shopping for Christmas presents and ended up browsing the clearance racks at JC Penney's for myself. Tried on a size 12 and 10 pants, just for kicks and to my amazement....the size 10 fit. I almost started crying tears of joy in the fitting room. And tried on a few size 8 party dresses that someone had left in the fitting room, and they fit too. Found some other good deals on tops, size small....then explained to hubby that they'll fit next year because you can't get any smaller than size small. It's truly amazing to look at "regular" sized clothing and KNOW that I fit into it. After sooooo many years of bypassing all the nice stuff and having to buy the fat clothes, and the biggest size of the fat clothes yet. WOW...what a difference 6 months has made!
12-17-04
Had my 6 month checkup with my surgeon yesterday. I was officially down 101 pounds on his scale (102 on mine earlier that day). He was very pleased with my weight loss and told me I can expect to lose in the next 6 months HALF of what I'd lost in the first 6 months. He gave me a goal weight of 130, which means I have 42 pounds to go.....whoooohoooo!!! But he did say it's really upto my body, and when it decides to stop losing, it will stop no matter what I do. He did say that people like me that exercise ALOT seem to reach their goal weight and never gain any weight back because of the exercise. Until next time...
12-26-04
Well got through the holidays without gaining any weight, eventhough I think I ate too much yesterday. But it was all "legal" foods, no sugar or bad stuff. I've recently had a few people give me that line we all wait to hear...."you don't need to lose any more weight." And I would tell them my goal was 130 lbs, and they'd say "you look like you weigh that now." Yeah right....NOT! But the fact that they're saying nice things is in itself a weight loss moment. Until next time.....
12-28-04
Today I reached that magical moment in weight loss history.....I'm no longer OBESE, just OVERWEIGHT. Yep, my BMI is under 30 making me overweight. It feels great! Today I weigh in at 168 which is a total of 108 pounds lost.
01-01-05
Happy New Year to all!!! And what a wonderful year this has been. I've lost a total of 112 pounds now. Hubby and I went out for New Years' Eve to a country western club and I danced the night away in heels. Wore a new pair of size 10 stretch jeans and a tiny little western shirt. I felt great and would NOT have had the confidence to dance in front of people last year being so much bigger. I have to lose another 24 pounds before I'll be a "normal" weight for my height. I think when I finally see it in writing on a weight chart that I'm a healthy weight then I'll believe it.
01-10-05
I work in a doctor's office and today a women looked up at me and said "how much more weight are you gonna lose." I told her I had another 30lbs to go according to my doctor. And she said "well you already look like the wind could blow you away."
I laughed later on thinking about that.
Went to the gym at lunchtime as usual and decided I was going to try and run a mile. I had been running a few minutes in between walking but never tried to keep going. Well today I did it. For the first time in my LIFE I ran ONE MILE. I was so happy that I achieved this fitness goal of mine. After the run I did my leg workout then went back to work and took the stairs. I work on the 4th floor and was able to walk up 4 flights without stopping and without pulling myself using the railing. Another fitness goal reached!
I just thought of something.....my Mom weighs about 115 pounds and that's just about how much weight I've lost. I've lost a person the size of my Mom. Amazing!
Until next time.....
02-09-05
Haven't been on here in a while since I hadn't lost any weight through the month of January. In fact I put on 7 pounds, I guess from fluid retention since I know I'm not slacking on my program. But as the month went on the pounds came off and I started losing again. Have lost a total of 121 pounds as of today. My weight today was 155 which makes me 15 pounds overweight, and 25 pounds away from my doctor's goal for me.
Exciting news.....our wedding anniversary is on Monday Feb. 14th, yes we were married on Valentine's Day last year. So for our first anniversary we're taking a Carnival Cruise. Yes I plan to sit around in front of people wearing shorts and bathing suits, something I would have NOT done 121 pounds ago. I bought a little black cocktail dress for the cruise in a SIZE 6....yes me in a size 6. AMAZING HUH? In jeans I think I might be in a size 8 since I'm wearing size 10 jeans now that are getting loose. But I bought a pair of khaki pants in a size 6 too.
I just can't get over it.....I think I look good but I don't think I'm TINY enough to be wearing size 6's and 8's. That I just don't get. But I'm happy to be wearing single digit sizes for the first time in my life.
Until next time.....
02-24-05
Last week we went on a cruise, sort of an anniversary trip and it was great. It was nice to dance the night away wearing a size 8 jeans and small tops and know that I looked good out there. It was nice to be able to wear a swim suit and shorts and know I wasn't being looked at for being the fat one near the pool. My husband even got pics of me in a bathing suit and I look ok.....like a normal size 44 year old women. Ok so I'll never look like a model, but I can at least try to be the best I can be.
While on the cruise we exercised some, ate sensibly (I did anyway).....ordered alot off the diet menu and had some great sugar free cakes for desserts.....but still ate more than usual. BUT I still came home 2 pounds lighter then when I left. I was thrilled! People just can't get over the fact that I went on a cruise....a place that centers around FOOD.....and lost weight. All the food around actually got boring and made me realize how different my attitude was about food these days. It was becoming a "pain" to have to stop and eat 3 times a day.
As of today I weight 150 which makes me ONLY 10 pounds overweight and 20 more pounds to lose to get to my weight loss goal of 130. I'm sooooo happy!!!!
I'm hoping to see the scale get down into the 140's soon.....
Until next time.....
3-24-05
Well haven't lost any weight this month, maybe just a pound or two, but my pants seem to be getting bigger. Last weekend since I was feeling like a failure I decided to go shopping, or at least browsing. Tried on 7 or 8 pairs of size 6 jeans and to my amazement.....they fit and some were even loose. So then I got about 7 or 8 pairs of size 4 jeans, every brand and style and was I SHOCKED when they fit! So as of today I've gone from a size 24/26 jeans to a size 4!!!!! I can't believe it! And to think I still have 15 more pounds to lose. I guess the working out helped to make me more compact. My body fat was at 44% in Sept and went down to 28% a few weeks ago when I had it checked. 25% is average. Now whenever I sit in a hot tub I can really SIT and don't float to the top like I did when I was fat. But we all know that fat floats. Well until next time.....Life is GOOD!
04-08-05
I'm happy to announce that as of today.....I'M NORMAL! I'm NO longer even overweight according to a weight chart. I've gone from morbidly obese to obese to normal. Amazing! Down from 276 10 months ago to 140 today. 10 more pounds to lose.
WELL.....as of today I'm 138 pounds which means I've literally lost HALF of the person I used to be! I've lost 138 pounds and I weigh 138 pounds. Amazing! I hope that other half is gone
forever.
05-15-05 As of today I weigh 135....only 5 more pounds to lose to reach goal. I think I'd like to go a few pounds under 130 although it's getting hard to find pants that fit since size 6's are too big, and size 4's are hard to find. Such a problem to have! Hahahaha.....
This picture was taken 4-24 over ten months 137 lost and down to 139!!!
From a size 24 to a size 4!
05-28-05
Weighed 132 today, two more pounds to goal. 2 1/2 weeks left till my one year anniversary for weight loss surgery. My body fat is at 24% now. Total weight loss is 144 pounds lost. Gone from a size 24/26 to a size 4, and some 4's are loose. Made an appt for July to consult with a plastic surgeon since I know I'm not going to lose much more and since it takes months to wait for the insurance company approval, or denial...might as well get the ball rolling. Until next time....
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME!!!!! 06-14-05
Well it's here.....my one year anniversary after weight loss surgery! I have reached my goal of 130 pounds which means I've lost a total of 146 pounds. I've gone from a size 24 to a size 4 in ONE YEAR. I'm a successfull weight loss patient!!! I had ONE year to get ALL of the excess weight off and I made it happen through hard work at the gym and making the right food choices, most of the time.
Had my one year checkup with my surgeon yesterday and after looking at my loose skin he told me I probably wouldn't lose much more, maybe another 5 pounds because there was NO FAT left on me. He said I was all skin, muscle and bones. WOW! Just what I wanted to hear from a doctor. I was thrilled, and am still smiling about it. For the first time in my life I heard a doctor tell me that I was not fat and did not have to lose any weight. He told me I could have plastic surgery any time now and because of the amount of muscle I'd put on that I would look really good after having the skin removed. But also that the insurance company would probably not pay for it because it was mostly a cosmetic procedure. Just as I thought anyway.
I've noticed now that I'm not losing as much anymore that I'm not cold ALL the time any more....still not hot but not freezing so much anymore.
Anyway, it's been a great year! Looking forward to having some skin removed in the next few months and looking even better.
Until next time.....
06-18-05
I have started losing again, down to 128 pounds today. Yeah!!! Never thought I'd stand on the scale and see it read 120something. Amazing!
06-27-05 Thought I was all done losing since it's almost been a month since I've lost any weight....but got on the scale today and I was shocked to see it read 126 pounds. So now I can officially say I've lost a total of 150 pounds! WOW!
08-24-05 Another pound gone, and not even trying anymore...thought I was done losing. Now I weigh in at 125 pounds. Incredible!
Have a date for plastic surgery on Oct 17, 2005 with Dr. Robert Fernandez here in Corpus Christi. Excited but not looking forward to the pain and all that goes along with surgery. But looking forward to the end result. He'll do a tummy tuck and thigh lift this time around. Then in the future will go back for an arm lift and breast augmentation.
Until next time.....
Happy Birthday To Me! This is BY FAR the skinniest birthday I've ever had. Happy 45th birthday to me!
10-04-05 Less than 2 weeks to go for my plastic surgery. Met with Dr. Fernandez again at the end of Sept and we decided he should cut all the way around. So now I'm having abdominoplasty with a belt lipectomy along with the thigh lift. More money involved but I might as well get my saggy butt lifted too. I can't wait to see what my body looks like after the surgery. Can't wait to go try on bikini's. But now I have to worry about shaving my bikini area too? Not a problem I ever had to deal with. Oh the new problems I'm finding being skinny.....I love it!!!
10-31-05
Happy Halloween! I'm dressed as a mummy today since I'm 2 weeks post op from plastic surgery. It's been much rougher than I thought it would be. First of all my back incision opened up almost immediately after surgery. It started about 2 inches open and by the end of the second day had opened to nearly 6 inches and was oozing fluids. I sat in a wet compression garment on waterproof pads in the hospital until the doctor decided what he wanted to do with me. That afternoon the first time I got up to use the bathroom I passed out on the bowl. Good thing my husband was nearby and caught me before I hit the floor. He pressed the nurse call button and immediately 2 others came in to carry me back into bed. At the end of the second day Dr. Fernandez instructed me to go home (since we were cash pay and would have had to pay for another night in the hospital) and come back the next morning for a second surgery to repair the back incision. So off I went wearing a hospital gown, still oozing fluid. We got home around 8pm had to remove the compression garment to wash and dry it and get it back on. We woke up at 5am to be to the hospital by 6am for the second surgery. It only took about 30 minutes this time to close the wound. I was kept at the outpatient surgery center till noon and then released.
The first 3-4 days were rough and I literally had to be picked up out of a chair and put back down again. This included trips to the bathroom. Between the tight compression garment, the swelling and the incisions I could not bend at the knees or the waist. The swelling got worse as the days went on as did that pain in my butt. I thought it was just from sitting so much but when my husband checked out the area he discovered I had staples under my butt cheeks. Apparently with the thigh lift they go all the way around uncluding under the butt cheeks. This was fine with me since he shaped my butt very nicely and I now have a tight, cute little butt. A bonus I didn't expect.
From what I can see so far the tummy looks great. My thighs I'm not so sure about yet since there's lots of swelling and fluid collecting under the skin in spots. The compression garment sucks since it's causing chafing and irritation all over. My husband keeps stuffing gauze and panty liners under it for comfort. Panty liners seem to work well as bandages and are much cheaper than medical supplies. We put them back to back with the sticky sides together and tape them on only enough to get the compression garment on. It's the compression garment that holds them in place.
At 10 days I went to the doctor's and he removed one of the three drains. I have to go back tomorrow which will be day 15. The drains have slowed down a bunch so hopefully he'll remove the other two tomorrow. He also said he'd take out some staples and stitches tomorrow.
I had planned to return to work today but can still only sit for a short time in an office chair like I'm sitting in now. So I've had to take a third week off from work. I plan to go back next week one way or another. Getting in and out of a car is still tough too.
Despite all the research I did on these procedures I still don't think I knew what to expect. I've had 5 other surgeries in my lifetime and this is the first time I took pain meds for more than the first day or two. I'm a pretty touch chick so if I'm hurting, there really is pain. Most of the pain is because of the swelling which makes the garment dig into my thighs and pubic area. I also have a bit of infection in the crease on the top of my thighs. The swelling is down some today and my thighs feel better. I've only taken one pain pill today so far.
I have to wear the compression garment for 2 months and can't start doing any exercise for one month, two months for weights. Hopefully if I feel better next week when I return to work I may try walking slowly just for something to do at lunchtime. I have been worried about putting on weight but so far I weigh about 125 which is what I started at going into the plastic surgery. My surgeon says he removed close to 5 pounds of skin so I think will probably weigh around 120 once the swelling goes down.
I'm glad it's over and glad it's getting better as the days go by. I can't wait to feel like myself again and be able to enjoy my new stomach and thighs. We paid $8,900 for the three procedures (abdominoplasty with a belt lipectomy and an inner medial thigh lift) which included everything.
I will update in the near future. Until next time.....
12-20-05 We'll I'm 9 weeks post op from my plastic surgery and I LOVE...absolutely LOVE my new body. Here's a link to a few pics.
http://photobucket.com/albums/y93/clydecoles/Plastic%2520Surgery/ Hope it works.
01-23-06
Well it's been 3 months since my first round of plastic surgery and I've gone and scheduled round two for Feb 8th, 2006. Now that my tummy looks great my arms are bothering me more since I'm wearing sports bras to work out and I see my battwings flapping in the breeze. I'm having a breast lift with silicone implants plus braichioplasty. He's giving me a good price of $6,800 for everything. This is the end of plastic surgery for me, at least for now..... I copied this link with my pics on it since it doens't look like the first one works. Maybe it just doesn't highlight here with their software.
I've started to take belly dancing lessons to show off my new tummy. It's funny eventhough I'm still lousy at it. I'll have to take a few months off probably to recover from the ps but will get back to it when I'm better.
Life is good as a skinny person!! I even bought my first bikini. Can't wait until I have my new breasts to go bathing suit shopping again. Until next time.....
2-2-06 Well here I am 4 days post op from breast augmentation and braichoplasty. My breasts look huge although I only had 350cc's put in, silicone implants. My surgeon says I should end up a very full B cup when the swelling goes down. My arms look so skinny and good. The pain and swelling has not been nearly as bad as last time. I feel pretty good, have taken only a few pain pills and think after this week I can go back to work. I'm showering already and can move my arms enough to do most things, although a bit slowly. I'm keeping them elevated whenever I'm sitting around. Only wearing a sports bra on top, no compression on the breasts. I feel good and can't wait to heal totally and try on new clothes. Until next time.....
Feb 27, 2006
All of the steri strips have been taken off my breasts and arms and they both look great!!! I am soooo happy with my new boobs!!! I want to show them to the world!!! The scars are almost not visible to the naked eye. I could be out on a beach today and no one would ever know I had surgery a few weeks ago, they look that good! And my arms look good too although the scars do go down the back of my arms. But they're already flesh colored and should heal well. My breasts are just the right size for my little body. I'm a full B to a small C cup which is perfect for me. Having a nice bustline even makes my tummy look flatter and nicer. I can proudly wear a bikini, tank top, halter top and sexy formal wear. I love my new body both IN and OUT of clothes!
June 8, 2006
I asked my husband to post some new pictures of me now that
all the plastics are over
Take a look at the new me!
June 15, 2007 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME!!!!!
WOW....it's been 3 years since I had my gastric bypass and changed my life totally for the better. I'm still wearing a size 4, still working out lots, even more than before.....and absolutely loving my new life! Will update more another time, have to get back to work now.
